Carl Frampton v Leo Santa Cruz: Your betting preview for the big fight
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If, like us, you’ve been counting down the days until Carl Frampton and Leo Santa Cruz’s WBA Super World Featherweight title bout, your excitement levels must be reaching fever pitch right about now.
The pair will step into the ring at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas this weekend in the latest in a series of big fights in 2017.
And it’s the defending champ, Frampton (23-0, 14KO) who heads the market at 4/6, with Santa Cruz (32-1, 18KO) just behind in the betting at 13/10.
With that in mind, it looks as if we’re in for a close encounter.
And after underestimating the Northern Irishman last time the two fighters met (making him the 2/1 outsider), our traders are making sure they don’t make the same mistake twice.
Frampton is attempting to write his name into the history books by joining an exclusive group of British boxers to win three title bouts across the pond. But he’s all too aware he’ll have to go all out to do so…
When will this fight be won?
History suggests this one will go the distance. That’s how The Jackal won this clash last time, and it’s actually something he’s done in four of the last five fights he’s had.
Meanwhile, five of Santa Cruz’s last eight bouts have also gone the distance, meaning there’s certainly some value to be had in the 4/9 on offer for this one to go all the way.
But we are talking about two men who love a KO.
Between them, we’ve seen a staggering 32 KOs in 57 bouts, with 63 per cent of Frampton’s fights ending that way.
He’ll have it all to do if he’s to win by that method in Las Vegas though, especially given that his opponent has never been KOed in his 11-year-professional career.
If anyone is more likely to face their first stoppage, it’s probably more likely to be Frampton.
The man from Belfast may tire the longer the fight goes on, and that would play into Santa Cruz’s hands nicely.
It’s 4/1 for the Mexican to win by KO, TKO or Disqualification.
Plenty of eyes will be on the contender, with many a fan speculating how the former world champ should approach this fight.
While a long and gruelling bout would arguably favour Santa Cruz, he himself has other plans…
He said: “As a Mexican fighter, I like to give the fans a great fight, I try to please the fans. I always go to fight, to make it a war.”
“I could use my distance and reach. That could make for a boring fight.”
“People have said to me to go out there and use my distance and reach, that I don’t have to go in there and have a brawl with Carl Frampton, that I should be smart.
“I am going to use my distance, I’m going to brawl and I’m going to be smart. I’m going to try to do what I can to win this fight.”
Whatever happens this weekend, we can be sure of one thing – you won’t want to miss it.
Click here for a full list of Frampton v Santa Cruz II odds.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
